DIY Network

Gun Blue and Other Patinas and Upholstery Projects Amy Devers shares Web extra information on using gun blue and other patinas. From "Freeform Furniture" episode DFFF-110

In this Web extra segment host Amy Devers talks about gun blue, other patinas and upholstery projects for dedicated the do-it-yourselfer.

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	Host Amy Devers provides information on gun blue techniques...
	and Web exclusive tips on upholstering.

Gun Blue and Other Patinas

FYI: Back in the early 1930's, visionary architect Ludwig Miles van der Rohe pioneered the use of metal in modern design with his iconic Barcelona and Bruno chairs. More than half a century later, contemporary furniture design still gravitates towards the clean lines created by welding.

Gun blue was put on the market in the 1930's for blackening firearms. Gun blue is a natural acidic oxide that is used to darken steel. When gun blue finish dries on metal, it produces a blackish-blue sheen. You can purchase it online, or at any metal supply store. Gun blue helps protect the steel from rust. The chemicals in gun blue are toxic. Therefore, it's a good idea to wear gloves and a respirator when applying.

Patinas are present on buildings, roofs, statues, fountains, and anywhere that is exposed to the weather. A patina is a colored film formed naturally on copper, bronze, or other metals by long exposure or artificially (by acids). There are three basic types of patinas; hot, cold and buried. Hot patinas are applied to a hot metal surface by a brush or spray. Cold patinas are applied to a room temperature metal by spray, brush or dipping into a solution. Buried patinas are made by applying a patina solution to metal that is put in a sealed container. Hot is the fastest and most controlled patina, cold takes stronger chemicals and is less controlled, and buried takes days or weeks and is largely uncontrolled.

• To apply the patina like the process used in Freeform Furniture, lay cardboard out to protect the work table from the chemicals.

• Before applying the patina, make sure the metal surface is clean. Make sure all oils and oxidation are removed. The most frequent oils are oils from your hands, so do not touch the surface with bare hands. Use rubber gloves during wash and handling. Apply a degreaser to the metal. Use scouring pads during washing to help improve the surface for the patina. This also helps to remove oxidation. Apply the patina within 1/2 hour.

• Pour some of the gun blue into a plastic cup or container. Then take some synthetic steel wool, dip it in the gun blue and apply it to the work surface along the length of the steel.

• The steel used in Freeform Furniture is mild steel as opposed to stainless because gun blue can't penetrate the alloys of stainless steel in the same way that it absorbs into the mild steel. Mild steel is a standard, affordable, low carbon steel.

• Don't scrub in the gun blue with too much pressure, otherwise you risk scratching the metal. This can happen when rubbing steel together.

• It usually takes about two to three applications for the chemicals in the gun blue to oxidize the metal enough to get a dark hue.

• Finally, apply wax to seal the patina.

Information on Upholstery

• To make a simple linear upholstered box seat like the one on Freeform Furniture, make a pattern for the top and four sides of the muslin box out of poster board.

• Use the pattern to cut the panels of the muslin box the exact size as the desired cushion size. Cut the pieces based on the pattern (exact size plus seam allowance). Pin the muslin pieces together and sew into a box shape.

• Cut pieces of show fabric the same size as the muslin pieces (based on your pattern).

• Cut a long strip of fabric on the bias for your piping. Wrap a strip around the length of the piping and sew.

• Pin together the pieces of show fabric and sew into a box with piping around the top section only.

• Pre-cut a 3/4" thick piece of plywood into a rectangle to length and width on the table saw so it will fit on the frame. Take the measurements for the rectangle from the inside of the welded stool frame and cut the plywood undersize so there is enough room for the cushion to slide on once the upholstery is on.

• Next cut the foam seating to the exact width and length as the plywood base. Use a turkey carver or a utility knife. Slicing into the foam with a razor sharp utility knife leaves the edges jagged. The electric turkey carver produces a much smoother cut.

• Glue the foam to the plywood with spray adhesive and firmly press it down.
  
  
• Cut bonded polyester batting slightly oversized to cover the foam. Drape the batting over the foam and tack it on underneath. Trim the corners of the batting.

• Stretch the muslin box tightly over the foam, batting, and plywood and staple it on the underside using a pneumatic stapler and upholstery staples.

• When you are stretching the muslin, make sue you get out all of the creases, dimples, lumps and puckers. This allows the show fabric to go on very easily.

• The muslin will lie just beneath the show fabric.

• Next, slide on the showcase fabric. Stretch the fabric out as tight as possible so there are no creases or loose ends. Staple it on the underside with an upholstery stapler making sure to smooth out any wrinkles.

• Trim the excess material.

• Cut a piece of black cambric and lay it on the underside, covering any exposed wood. Cambric is a fine spun cotton that is typically used on the underside of upholstery projects. Staple it all around the perimeter to cover up any loose ends.

RESOURCES :

Delta Woodworking Power Tools
Website: www.deltawoodworking.com

Festool
Website: www.festoolusa.com

Gladiator Garageworks by Whirlpool
Website: www.gladiatorgw.com

Stanley Tools Product Group
Website: www.stanleytools.com

Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Inc.
Website: www.lie-nielsen.com

WMH Tool Group
Website: www.wmhtoolgroup.com

Power Tools (Porter Cable)
Porter Cable Power Tools
Website: www.portercable.com

Hand Tools
Garrett Wade Co., Inc.
Website: www.garrettwade.com

The Peck Tool Company
Website: www.pecktool.com

Biesemeyer
Website: www.biesemeyer.com

Saw Blades
Forrest Manufacturing Company
Website: www.vacupress.com

Jogensen Adjustable Clamp Company
Website: www.adjustableclamp.com

Adhesives, Abrasives and Safety Equipment
The 3M Company
Website: www.3m.com

Klein Tools
Website: www.kleintools.com

Ulmia GmbH
Website: www.ulmia.de

Woodcraft
Website: www.woodcraft.com

Shop Equipment
Eagle Manufacturing Company
Website: www.eagle-mfg.com

Gun Blue
Shooter Solutions
Website: www.shootersolutions.com

Miller Manufacturing Co.
Website: www.millerwelds.com

Welding Tools and Accessories
Steiner Industries
Website: www.steinerindustries.com

Smith Equipment
Website: www.smithequipment.com